One of the most satisfying things about focusing on sustainable recurring giving with as many organizations as we have is that we’ve been able to hone our ability to see patterns across different types of charities. To understand the specific ways that these organizations can take advantage of the rise of sustainable giving. 

One reason I believe The Rise of Sustainable Giving has resonated so much with charity leaders is that sustainable giving has momentum.

Sustainable giving is riding the wave of momentum of subscriptions and the subscription economy, and changing donor behavior, creating new opportunities to grow sustainable recurring giving for their charities. 

I’m thrilled to share that the audiobook edition of The Rise of Sustainable Giving is now available for pre-order and will officially release on February 3 – in less than three weeks!

For decades, we’ve accepted this as normal. We’ve planned around it, budgeted for it, even joked about it. January 1 became the worst day of the year not because leaders lack vision or discipline – but because the system we inherited was never designed to carry momentum forward.

But what if January 1 doesn’t have to feel this way?

The word “Imago” comes from Latin. It’s a word that describes a future that will be but has not yet come to pass. 

An Imago is literally the image of the ultimate form of a thing. It’s the last stage of maturity. A metamorphosis. The final shape.

If you and I saw a butterfly flying by, we would say, “There goes an IMAGO!” 🦋

I think there are several lessons we can learn from both the wise men and shepherds in the Christmas story on innovation and seeing coming waves of change.

Waves are powerful things. 

Waves can be Scary. Overwhelming. Unending. 

Waves are also Beautiful. Rhythmic. Peaceful.

When faced with the crashing waves of life, we have an opportunity to respond. Will we face them? Dive under them? Stay out of the water altogether?

While we were enjoying the game, Emily Cole, co-owner of the Bananas and wife of founder Jesse Cole, came onto the field and began to share the story of a local family that has fostered for years, bringing dozens of children into their home and adopting others.

She spoke about the power of family, and of foster care. 

She then invited the featured foster family, a local Seattle family, onto the field to be honored. 

If the moment had stopped there, it would have been a nice moment, like you might expect at any baseball game between innings. But not at a Bananas game…

What happened next brought tears to my eyes.

Reflection is the first of four things I do at the end of each year to set the tone and get clarity of vision for the new year.

My mission today is to get you to schedule time to reflect and plan for the new year before the end of this year.

Today is going to be a short one. 

Last week, I wrote about Six Insights at the Intersection of Gratitude and Generosity. 

This week, I’m trying to live those lessons out…

By keeping perspective. 

Enjoying the moment. 

Practicing the discipline of giving.

Being a blessing to others.

By spreading gratitude.

I hope that today you are able to take a moment, be present, gain perspective, and be thankful. 

I believe that gratitude and generosity form a virtuous cycle. One leads to the other, and they reinforce each other.

When I practice generosity, it leads to gratitude.

When I practice gratitude, it, in turn, leads to generosity. 

Tomorrow, November 15, is National Philanthropy Day. 

Officially recognized as a national day by President Reagan in 1986, National Philanthropy Day is an annual day of celebration that recognizes the contributions of philanthropy to the world. 

Simply defined, philanthropy is the use of private resources for public purposes. The giving of resources like time, talent, and treasure has deep roots in human history.

The word philanthropy comes from the Greek words “philos,” meaning “that which is beloved,” and “anthrōpos,” meaning “humankind.”

Philanthropy, literally translated, means for the love of humanity.

 If you acquire any volume of new donors, this Wave Report holds the secret to perhaps the single most effective strategy you have to grow sustainable giving.

$13.1 billion. 

That’s the amount that Americans will have spent on Halloween by the time the day is over, according to the National Retail Federation.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve interacted with thousands of nonprofit leaders, influenced hundreds of organizations directly, and consulted with 100+ charities individually. 

I’ve been on both sides of the table—hiring consultants and being one. In that time, I’ve seen the difference between a good consulting engagement and a great one that produces results. 

A great consultant can make a difference, but a great partnership can transform your organization. 

Let’s imagine a world in which generosity has a day. Not a holiday for deals or consumption, but one collective moment carved out for shared humanity and generosity. That world already exists — and it started less than a decade and a half ago.

GivingTuesday started with simple roots at the 92nd Street Y and its Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact in New York City. It was a bold experiment – a “Giving Tuesday” immediately following the Thanksgiving weekend, aimed at redirecting the energy of post-holiday momentum toward generosity.

Today, GivingTuesday is a worldwide phenomenon, with recorded movements in more than 100 countries. In 2024, U.S. donors alone gave $3.6 billion.

What do Seinfeld, Game of Thrones, and the Purpose & Profit Podcast have in common?

Each came to a natural end in its own time — and ended with a finale.

Some people celebrate anniversaries. At Imago, we celebrate Imagoversaries.

What do the likes of Walt Disney, the Savannah Bananas’ Jesse Cole, and Martin Luther have in common?

They each lead with imagination. 

Also… 

✨ They each have created movements. 

✨ They cared deeply about the people who followed their causes.

✨ They were masters of experience. 

The past week for me has been full of imagination. 

Events are one of the most effective channels for growing sustainable giving. In fact, for some organizations, they can be the number ONE channel for sustainer acquisition.

In this Wave Report, I’m going to unpack why events can be so effective in growing recurring revenue, and share seven ways to grow sustainable giving at your next event.